Friday, August 23, 2013

Refried Beans



I really do enjoy a good pot of beans, but beans are very versatile, so why stop there? Beans are easy to cook, but require a little more advance planning when cooking at high altitudes. I soak my beans for a few days and then cook them in my electric pressure cooker. The quick soak method does not work here and if you cooked them on the stove it could take days. The first time I cooked beans at this altitude I cooked them for three days and they were still a little hard. I finally gave up.


I started with cold cooked beans.



Fried up some smoky beef ends and pieces.


Then I added cold beans to the hot fry pan with some beef bacon grease.  


 
Once thoroughly heated, I mashed the beans. I used my wooden
mallet for the task.
 As far as seasonings I used salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. You can use whatever seasonings you like. I'm serving these as a side dish with fajitas tonight for our Sabbath meal.



I always make extra beans for freezer to save energy and time. I mixed the extra beef bacon fat into the extra beans
for added flavor.

Blessings,
Tina

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Our Daily Bread

Almost every morning Number One reads out loud to me from "Our Daily Bread" 
Number One shared this post with me the other day and I wanted to share it with all of you. It is a reminder  of God's promises. I hope that this blesses you as much as it blessed us.








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Contained But Not Extinguished


Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn
In June 2012, the Waldo Canyon fire destroyed 346 homes in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and burned more than 18,000 acres of mountain forest. The fire was declared 100-percent contained when perimeter lines had been built around the entire area of the blaze. It had been confined to a defined area until it could be fully extinguished. A fire information official warned residents that they might continue to see smoke in the burn area because even though the fire was fully contained it “is not controlled and it is not out.”
When our world is rocked by tragic events and evil acts, we long for the day when evil will finally be destroyed and God will bring history to a close and fully establish His kingdom. Until that time, however, the Lord gives us His grace to live purposeful lives of faith as we await His coming. In Hebrews 10, we are urged to draw near to God with sincere hearts (v.22); hold fast to the hope we profess (v.23); spur each other on to love and good works (v.24); and continue meeting together for encouragement “and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (v.25).
Until the time God extinguishes the fires of evil forever, He gives us His grace and strength to endure the trials of life as we look forward to His return.
Dear Lord, thank You for the grace You give us to live
each day for Your glory. We look forward to the day
when You return, all evil will be extinguished, and
we will live with You in perfect harmony forever.
Jesus is coming—perhaps today!       odb.org/

Friday, August 16, 2013

Chickie Birds






 
We have eight new editions to the ranch. Chickie birds are everywhere. They all hatched on July 3rd. I opened the coop to find fuzz balls running all around. I was so excited. Two of our hens had nests full of eggs. They did not choose the best possible nesting areas, therefore, only eight of the thirty eggs hatched. I know better now and will try remove extra eggs from the nests next time. The eggs on the bottom did not get enough warmth and some of the eggs hatched, but were smashed and never stood a chance.




Number One gave them some scratch this morning, so I snapped a few pics. It was  impossible for me to get all eight in one picture since they move constantly. They are almost all feathered out now. They can regulate their own body temperature at this age, but still snuggle up with their mommies at night. They were out of the coop in three days, but could not get back in by themselves at night and needed a little help. They are a pleasure to watch.




Hen's have amazing parenting skills. The chicks start learning from the moment they are hatched. The hen's keep a watchful eye out for any dangers at all times. I have learned a lot about the language of chickens. They are actually great communicators. They call each other for dinner, warn each other about potential dangers, fuss, complain, they all rejoice together when eggs are laid and much much more. 

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Soap, Soap And More


My dearest mother sent us a care package of soap today. I just love the care packages her and my dad send us. We never know what will be inside, but rest assured it will be a loving thoughtful gift that we will enjoy.

Last week we received a 38 lb care package. Usually, we get hefty packages from them that include clothes and treats that the two of them have been collecting for a couple of months or years. This time my mother sent her treasured handmade dolls that she has enjoyed for the last 30 or 40 years.

Handmade dolls made from old clothes pins



 They are just beautiful and I will cherish them always. Thank you mother. Along with the dolls came Winter items and a few Summer tops that fit me perfectly, an insulated jacket with matching gloves for Number One and an assortment of other handy items that we will enjoy with the changing of the seasons. Thank you both for your generosity.





Treasures come in many forms. Number One's mother, who has gone to be with the Lord, made this shelf and the ram and her dad made the wooden puzzles that you see in the bowls. A friend of ours took this picture from a creek near our home in the Ozarks when he first started out in photography. These are earthly treasures that we enjoy, but there is a greater treasure not of this world.

Colossians 2

 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.



Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Mary Had A Little Lamb...


It has been a long while since I was able to post. Things on blogger have changed and I have not figured it all out yet. Please forgive any spelling errors and alignment issues. I will try to figure it out.



By Mother Goose Mother Goose
Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow;
And everywhere that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go.

It followed her to school one day,
Which was against the rule;
It made the children laugh and play
To see a lamb at school.

And so the teacher turned it out,
But still it lingered near,
And waited patiently about
Till Mary did appear.

Why does the lamb love Mary so?
The eager children cry;
Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know,
The teacher did reply.
    We all remember this nursery rhyme from childhood, but have you ever asked yourself "why" the lamb followed Mary? Well, neither had I until this morning when I was doing my Bible study. Mary was a shepherdess. She tended to the lamb, loved the lamb, provided for the lamb's every need. The lamb knew her voice and was comforted by Mary's presence.
    We too have a great "Shepherd". The 23rd Psalm was writen by King David who himself was a shepherd of sheep and then the shepherd of God's people. David realized that he too had a greater Shepherd than himself who loved, provided, protected and guilded him through all kinds of landscapes in this world. 
    It makes sence to me now that the lamb wanted to be close to Mary. I too am a lamb who wants to be close to my Shepherd. I am comforted by His presence. I am provided for, protected, restored and most of all, loved. 
Psalm 23  
King James Version (KJV)
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
 
   
   
    Sometimes life makes it hard to hear our "Shepherd". Our ears grow dull to His voice due to
    all the noise of this world. We can become disoriented and even lost. Our Shepherd watches out for us. His ears never become dull to our crying out to Him. His eyes are never dim. 
    He seeks us wherever we are. Who is your shepherd?   

First Signs Of Spring...